Photo courtesy of Ross Lavigne - Cierra Fortier digs in the sand at Echo Dale on Aug. 2, 2019.

By Alex McCuaig

Embracing heat

Embracing the heat in the Hat

Aug 2, 2019 | 4:50 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It was a hot one Friday with 30-degree plus heat descending on much of the southeast portion of the province.

For Quebecker Bruno Turcotte driving through the city on his way back to La belle province, the dry heat is a great way to end his Alberta experience.

“This weather is more comfortable than at home,” said Turcotte as he took in the Saamis Tepee Friday.

“At home it is very, very humid – you have just to think and you have (sweat) dropping down on your face.”

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Turcotte was far from the only person basking under the sun in big sky country.

Nick Martin, river guide with the University of Calgary’s Outdoor Centre, said Friday’s heat is classic southeastern Alberta weather – the type those on his four-day river expedition come to expect.

“It’s nice to be on the water when it’s hot out. I think it’s one of the better things to do when it’s really hot out,” said Martin.

“Paddling is part of the culture in Calgary,” he said. “Getting a little bit more into the Badlands is starting to be more popular.”

While Martin might be getting a taste of the southern Alberta heat, Hatter Stephanie McCutcheon is no stranger to basking in hot, dry temperatures.

“This is perfect. Going down the river on the paddle boards. . .I love it,” she said.

The rest of the Heritage Day long weekend is forecast to see temperatures to remain at or around the 30-degree mark with a risk of afternoon thunder showers on Saturday.